How Dirty Floors Endanger Employees and Customers 

• February 22, 2022
• Uncategorized
• Specialty Mats

Did you know that dirty floors endanger employees and customers? They are not only unsightly and a poor representation of your brand. Dirty floors are one of the biggest culprits for slip-and-fall accidents in commercial facilities. In fact, dirty and unkempt floors and bad flooring materials send over 2 million people to the ER every year.

Dirty Floors Endanger Employees and Customers in Commercial Facilities: Facts and Figures

Slip-and-fall accidents are as dangerous as they are expensive. And these statistics will prove that they are bad for business, as well:

• According to the National Safety Council (NSC), falls are the second-most common cause of worker deaths. In 2020, 800 workers died due to fall-related injuries.
• According to the same data from the NSC, slip-and-falls are the third most common cause of serious non-fatal injuries that required days off from work. In 2020, more than 211,000 employees had to miss work due to their fall-related injuries.
• Same-level falls account for more than 12% of fall fatalities, and more than 50% of non-fatal injuries.
• 24% of falls in commercial facilities occur on customer walkways. And almost 70% of business spaces report not placing mats in these high-risk areas.
• Fall accidents are expensive. According to the 2015 data from the CDC, fall-related hospitalizations amounted to over $50 million.
• Slip-and-fall accidents are one of the most common causes of liability lawsuits customers filed against businesses.

How to Make Your Floors Cleaner and Safer for Employees and Customers

The most common causes of same-level falls are poor flooring design, clutter, matting, and spills. Now that you know how dirty floors endanger employees and customers, here’s how you can prevent them:

Clean Regularly and Efficiently

Keeping your floors clean is not only a matter of hygiene, it is also a safety issue. It is important to be more conscientious about the frequency and quality of your cleaning efforts. Make sure to completely wipe away any spills and rid your floors of any form of clutter.  Make sure, too, to isolate and clearly mark any wet areas until it’s completely safe.

Keep Up with Floor Safety Requirements

The type and design of your flooring are also essential in safety. Make sure that your floors are up to safety standards. This means that your floors should be even throughout, with no sudden rises, falls, or obscure obstructions. Make sure to clearly mark any level changes.

Equip Your Floors for Optimum Safety

Matting is one of your best defenses against same-level fall accidents. They provide added traction and prevent any dust, mud, or moisture from getting onto your floors. But floor mats can also pose a risk. Poor-quality or poorly maintained floor mats can become slipping hazards. Old mats, which tend to bunch up, are also tripping-and-falling hazards. Make sure that your floor mats are well-maintained, regularly cleaned, and come with adequate traction.

Specialty Mat: The Floor Mat Experts

The problem with having floor mats, however, is that they can be an added burden for your janitorial team. They require regular, high-quality cleaning to stay effective. With all the responsibilities that come with running a business, it can be challenging to find time to adequately care for your floor mats. Even keeping up with your floor mat supplies is challenging!

This is where Specialty Mat comes in! Specialty Mat is the Illinois mat service provider that can take care of all your floor mat needs. We handle supply delivery, quality control, mat laundering, and more! With Specialty Mat, you don’t have to worry about anything concerning your mats. You can concentrate on running your business, while your floor mats will perform as optimally as you need them to.

What are you waiting for?

Contact Us Today!

Make your facility safer for your customers and employees. Invest in the reliable Illinois mat service expertise of Specialty Mat. Contact us today at 800-941-MATS or fill out this form for a free quote!